Wednesday, March 29, 2017

The most extravagant trip I have ever booked for someone had all the bells and whistles and spared nothing when it came to expense. The reason? My client felt he had waited too long to take this trip that his wife had dreamed of for so long. “She always wanted to go to Hawaii”, he told me. But life got in the way. His business was launching and then expanding and becoming extremely successful, however, ironically enough as his business success grew, his personal success plummeted. He got older, fatter, and wiser. Hey, don’t we all? And this year he was going to make it memorable - he was going to surprise his wife with the ultimate birthday gift and I Love You More gesture - So I booked a multi-island itinerary, a second Honeymoon per say. We incorporated a day trip to the waterfalls by helicopter, explore the Road to Hana and even go zip lining through the rainforest! Each night there was something to look forward to; whether a luau or a candlelight dinner on the beach. Each day had some sort of surprise sprinkled in from a romantic couple’s massage to a relaxing beach day with no expectations. He was so proud of himself for hiring me to arrange the details; he said it was so easy he, “wished he would’ve done it sooner!”

So I made the reservations for the B&B where they would stay for the weekend, he picked up flowers from a local vendor I suggested, wine and a Hallmark card and off they went with two completely different intentions in mind. Upon checking in and uncorking the wine, he simply couldn’t contain himself. He had to give her the birthday gift NOW! So he excitedly told her that he had something very special to give her and it just couldn’t wait. She then surprised him by saying she too had something to give him. As they exchanged Hallmark cards, they couldn’t be more polar opposites. One said, “I love you now let’s go to Hawaii” while the other said, “I don’t love you anymore, let’s get a divorce.”

A little too much too late? I’m afraid so. An isolated story? Not a chance! In fact, although this story is a hybrid; made up of many true stories I see day after day. This isn’t about one client in particular, but many I have worked with. The moral of the story is don’t wait. Just do it.

If you have any questions on this topic or any other travel topics please contact me.

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Believed to be the heart of the Maya civilization, Belize offers travelers the life-changing opportunity to explore Mayan ruins at more than 1,400 recorded Mayan sites. Lamanai, Xunantunic, Caracol and Altun Ha are excellent archaeological sites to visit to explore what remains of the ancient civilization.

After visiting Mayan ruins, travelers can head to the Museum of Belize to see the largest carved jade Mayan object ever discovered as well as many other Mayan artifacts. The museum is housed in a former prison, making it an interesting destination in itself.

Travelers who want to be a bit more active have many choices when visiting Belize. Scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, caving…the list of adventurous activities in Belize never ends. Divers should head to Great Blue Hole, considered one of the best diving spots in the world. Located 43 miles from the mainland, the submarine sinkhole is over 900 feet across and 400 feet deep. Scuba divers can experience striking stalactites and many different species of fish. The Great Blue Hole is suited best to experienced divers, but snorkeling is very popular and enjoyable there.

Belize is home to other natural wonders, such as the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which touches the coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras as well as Belize. 185 miles of the reef are just off the coast of Belize (it stretches almost 700 miles in total) is home to 60 types of hard corals, over 500 species of fish and an abundance of other marine life. As the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996.

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and Belize’s most popular destination. It embodies a casual lifestyle full of watersports and the country’s best restaurants and nightlife. Travelers to Ambergris Caye can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve or watch a soccer game at the public field. There are many low-key and also active things to do in Ambergris Caye.

Traveling to Belize is quite easy for Americans, as it’s the only English-speaking country in Central America (English is Belize’s official language). Currency exchange is easy as well, as the Belize dollar is locked at $2.00 for every $1.00 U.S., making it easy to understand how much money is being spent. But exchanging currency is not always necessary, as many businesses accept American money.

Belize offers a wonderful mix of things to do and see which makes this a popular destination. With more and more flights daily to Belize, it’s more accessible than ever before! What are you waiting for? Let’s get you to Belize before it’s an overpopulated tourist trap!